In keeping with our tradition of interviewing new team members, we asked our new Director of Development, Jeremy Bloom, a few questions so that you all can get to know him!
- Tell us a bit about yourself:
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I have worked as a political organizer and nonprofit fundraiser for over eleven years. Most recently as a fundraiser at the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. I am an active community volunteer sitting on several nonprofit boards and committees. When I’m not working, you’ll find me reading in Balboa Park, visiting the San Diego Zoo, or hiking and biking across Southern California. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mary Washington, in Virginia, and my Master's in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
- How did you become interested in Circulate San Diego?
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Circulate first came to my attention when Colin Parent spoke to my San Diego Leadership Alliance fellowship class in 2016. In the years since I have become more interested and invested in ways to increase the standard of living in my community. Critical to that is the ease of walking and biking to my destinations and finding affordable housing in the areas I want to live. I am excited to join the Circulate team to help bring their mission to “create excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods” to fruition by expanding and growing our donor base.
- What’s your most memorable face palm moment? Or what is your biggest achievement to date? Choose one.
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I don’t have a natural ability to remember faces and names. It is a skill I am consistently working on. A few years ago, I had an entire twenty-minute conversation with someone (I won’t name them here). They clearly remembered who I was. But I couldn’t place them. I realized we must have a mutual acquaintance and asked how they were doing. This is when the person shared that they were that acquaintance. I am now much more confident in admitting when I can’t remember someone’s name.
- If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
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This is such a tough question. There are so many folks that I would be interested in meeting and getting advice from. Right now, Nick Offerman would be at the top of my list. Not only an actor, but also a well-read outdoorsman, writer and student of life. He was recently on Ezra Klein’s Podcast and offered his take on land conservation and love of Aldo Leopold and Wendell Berry – I would have them on my list, too. Nick Offerman just seems to have the entire “live life to the fullest” idea down.